Analyses
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By Tim CayfordWould scientists really make good politicians? Insight into why this might be so. There are a handful of people these days who would like to see more scientists and engineers getting into politics (see Aug. 8, 2011 NYT article titled: “Groups call for Scientists to Engage the Body Politic”). In the midst of the personal convictions that the technically-minded should play their part in societal decision making, there is also an apparent skepticism that such convictions will ever lead to a pronouncedly scientific body politic. Not only do I reject this skepticism, I would argue that these groups who are encouraging their laboratory comrades to step to the podium need not be...
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By Daniel LugerThe family of Habsburg between consanguineous marriages, legal restrictions, and biological consequences. Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria nube/ Nam quae Mars aliis, dat tibi Venus. ..."Let others wage war, but you, fortunate Austria, marry/ Because what Mars (provides for the) others, divine Venus gives to you”. This medieval latin couplet explains the rise of the Habsburg family – from minor Swiss counts to one of the leading royal houses of Europe – by the success of their dynastic marriage policy. Indeed, after establishing their power base in Austria during the course of the 13th and 14th centuries and being regularly elected Holy Roman Emperors from 1440...
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An overview of Australia’s humanitarian policy and politics. Political rhetoric and media reports suggest that ‘boat people’ are a key issue of concern for the world’s largest island nation, Australia. Three issues dominated political debate in the lead up to the last federal election in August 2010: climate change, mental health and ‘boat people’. Disturbing events, such as the sinking of an asylum seeker boat off the coast of Christmas Island in December 2010, and controversial policy announcements such as that of the ‘Malaysia solution’ by the incumbent Labor Government in May 2011, have ensured that ‘boat people...
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A commentary on the effects and long-term ramifications of the Libyan rebels’ success. The Arab Spring has posed some of the most vexing and complex challenges that the United States and the international community have seen since the end of the Cold War. The spread of the uprisings coupled with the historic divisions and protracted violence that existed in the Middle East and North Africa prior to the uprisings have created a very unpredictable and fluid situation. Libya’s long-time dictator Muammar Ghadaffi has struggled to hold onto power during Libya’s seven- month old uprising. After losing ground in the early stages of violent protests and riots against his regime,...
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By Mauro GilliMauro Gilli examines the causes of Italy’s troubled political system and its similarities to the early 1990s. For those old enough to remember, Italy’s current political and economic sickness is quite reminiscent of 1992. In 1992, Italy faced two separate crises: a political crisis triggered by the uncovering of “Tangentopoli” (Bribesville), a wide and deep system of corruption that political parties relied on for their financing, and a financial crisis, which forced Italy to devalue its currency, the Lira. As a result, Italy seemed to be on the brink of collapse, especially given the challenge posed by the Northern League party, which was then pursuing a...
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Critical analysis of the organization and implementation of the CSDP. Criticizing the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is easy. A brief look at Europe’s recent actions in conflict areas and failed states paints the picture very clearly: despite apparent ambitions in that direction, the EU still acts in the shadows of its member states, and has not yet proven itself as a convincing international ‘state-fixer’. Nothing showcases the dispersed European agendas better than the Iraq War in 2003. Admittedly, this was before CSDP was supposedly Common by name, but more recent examples such as Libya show little improvement by nature: the EU is stuck with...
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An exploration of the rise and fall of Chavez’s left-wing populism, not only in Venezuela but in the wider Latin America region. Latin America has a double penchant: for the past and for drama. Though the continent’s response to the world’s economic doldrums is today the envy of many countries, particularly in Europe, endemic inequality has always allowed populists a high hand in shaping politics. Hence the connection with drama: caudillos in Latin America – preferably with some kind of military outfit – appeal to the people by using dramatic rhetoric and gestures to get rid of the nation’s enemies, both internal and external. When by the very end of the...
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Charles A. Thiemele analyzes the potentially critical implications of Côte d’Ivoire’s recent election. Reading the current coverage of Côte d’Ivoire’s crisis and its outcome, it is easy to feel optimistic. From an outside perspective, the UN, the EU, France, and the United States restored democracy in a nation threatened by the so-called dictator, Laurent Gbagbo, who refused to step down after losing a UN-controlled election. One could thus be excused for assuming that all is now well in sunny Abidjan, and that the rest of the country will soon be the shining example of progress and liberty in Africa. However, despite a warranted...
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By Anna SchwanAnna Schwan comments on why the right communication strategy is so important to improve a country’s soft power. Images like the killing of Osama bin Laden, a pregnant Carla Bruni, London’s bid for the Olympics 2012 and Azerbaijan’s victory at this year’s European Song Contest make no sense at first sight. When one looks closer, one realizes that the one similarity between all these images is that they affect the image of the countries involved. As Paul Watzlawick once said, it is impossible not to communicate. When countries send out images they are invariably making statements about themselves. More and more countries are embarking on professional ways of...